Announcement: The Department of Contracts and Grants (DCG) previously issued guidance regarding new federal requirements related to Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP) under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. As a reminder, starting on June 7, 2025, in accordance with the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) Chapter II.D.1.e(ii), all PIs or co-PIs named on an NSF award made on or after May 20, 2024, must certify annually in Research.gov that they are not party to a MFTRP. Individuals who are currently a party to a MFTRP are not eligible to serve as senior/key personnel on an NSF proposal or on any NSF award made on or after May 20, 2024.
Why This Matters:
Federal agencies now require institutions and investigators to certify that key personnel participating in sponsored research are not a part of any MFTRP as defined under the Act. Non-compliance may lead to proposal rejection, funding withdrawal, or other enforcement actions.
Key Reminders:
- Impacted PIs and co-PIs will be prompted to complete the MFTRP certification after signing into Research.gov using the Sign In link at the top of www.Research.gov.
- PIs and co-PIs with more than one active award made on or after May 20, 2024, are only required to certify once, annually.
- Once completed, PIs and co-PIs can view their MFTRP certification response under the Academic/Professional Information section of their profile.
- Investigators must fully disclose all appointments, affiliations, and participation in any foreign talent programs during proposal submission.
- Participation in any Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Program is prohibited for individuals involved in federally funded research.
- USC’s Disclosure of Foreign Relationships and Activities Policy remains a critical component of our compliance efforts.
Next Steps:
For any impacted PIs and co-PIs, please log-in to Research.gov and complete the MFTRP certification by June 7th. If you have any updates to your outside activities, affiliations, or foreign collaborations, please ensure these are reported immediately through the appropriate USC disclosure systems. DCG and the Office of Research are available to assist with any questions regarding these requirements.
Questions? If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Ben Bell in the Office of Culture, Ethics, and Compliance.